He was born in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago to Grenadian parents, and moved to England with his family at the age of eight. Oceans' musical influence came at an early age of his life, as his father was a musician, and realised he was inline to follow those ambitions as he was growing up. During his teenage years, he sang regularly in London clubs while also working as a tailor in London's Savile Row. He released his first single in 1972 on Spark Records as Les Charles.
When in Trinidad as a boy he adopted the name Billy Ocean, taking the surname from the local football team 'Ocean's Eleven', who had gotten the name from the famous film of the same name. The next year, 1976, was when he recorded his first album, Billy Ocean, with its first single release, "Love Really Hurts Without You," charting at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 22 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. More successes ensued, including "L.O.D. (Love On Delivery)". He also wrote songs for other artists, such as La Toya Jackson. In 1981, he scored the U.S. R&B chart with "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)".
Ocean's period of greatest success began with Suddenly during 1984, and its main single, "Caribbean Queen". The song's title and lyrics were changed for different regions, such that the song is also known as "African Queen" or "European Queen". The song won Ocean the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. The album's title track also became a success, its score maximizing at #4 in both the US and the UK; and the song "Loverboy", while also being a #2 US success during 1985, from the album, was also the background music for the first scene of the popular UK BBC One TV series, Casualty, during 1986.
Ocean appeared at Live Aid in 1985, singing "Caribbean Queen" and "Loverboy", from the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
His 1986 album Love Zone also sold well. It included the successful singles "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (the theme from the film The Jewel of the Nile); this was a number one success in the UK and a number two in the U.S.; and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" (a U.S. number one, and also a major UK success). Also included were the title track and "Love Is Forever", which were #10 and #16 U.S. successes for Ocean, respectively.
In February 1986, Ocean's video of "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" was banned by the BBC, owing to non-union members (including Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito) miming to backing vocals.
Ocean's next album, Tear Down These Walls (1988) featured another number one single, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car", while the album was certified platinum.
His 1993 album Time to Move On failed to produce any major successes, but his 1989 Greatest Hits collection has been a steady seller over the years, and his 1997 compilation Love Is For Ever made #7 on the UK album chart. Ocean's last studio album for Jive Records was Time to Move On, which he recorded in Chicago with R&B star R. Kelly. It turned out that R. Kelly had been a long-time admirer of the way Ocean was able to mix the more emotive soul style with a crossover popular style.
In 2002, the University of Westminster awarded Ocean an honorary doctorate of music. The awards ceremony took place in the Barbican Centre, in London. He continues to tour and record in Europe. He lives in Sunningdale, Berkshire with his wife of 27 years, Judy; and their three children Cherie, Antony and Rachel. Ocean is now a patron for Tech Music Schools in London, made up of Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech. He regularly visits to hold clinics and seminars for the students.
In October 2007, Ocean commenced his first British tour in over 15 years. In February and March 2008 he toured Australia and the Far East. His new album, Because I Love You was released on 2 February 2009. To coincide with this new tour and album launch, Ocean has been working with Adoseof Design on a website revision which is due March 2009.
For more information got to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Ocean
Calypso Crazy
Billy Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though he's beaded in sweat he hasn't lost his style
Ali don't you go downtown
You gave away another round for free
Me
I'm just another face at Zanzibar
But the waitress always serves a secret smile
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
For me
I've got the old man's car
I've got a jazz guitar
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
Tonight that's where I'll be
He knows he's such a credit to the game
But the Yankees grab the headlines every time
Melodrama's so much fun
In black and white for everyone to see
Me
I'm trying just to get to second base
And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign
She's gonna give the go ahead
The inning isn't over yet for me
Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar
I'll be hiding in the darkness with my beer.
She's waiting out in Shantytown
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
For me
The lyrics to Billy Ocean's Calypso Crazy are infused with a sense of longing and wanderlust. The song's narrator is captivated by the energy of Ali, a dancer who is the star of the show. The audience is entranced by his performance, but Ali maintains his cool, never missing a beat. The singer is struck by Ali's effortless charm, wishing he had the same charisma.
The song highlights the contrast between the high-class lifestyle of the Zanzibar bar patrons and the poverty of Shantytown, where the singer's love interest resides. The waitress at Zanzibar is alluring, and she always serves him with a coy smile. However, the singer is drawn to the danger and excitement of Shantytown, where he can forget all his troubles and be with the woman he desires.
The lyrics describe the struggles of the singer to have a chance with the love of his life. He is captivated by her and is willing to go to great lengths to be with her. The mood of the song is set by a mellow, reggae-infused rhythm that captures the laidback energy of the Caribbean. The song is about having big dreams and taking bold risks to achieve them, regardless of the obstacles that stand in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Ali dances and the audience applauds
The famous Ali is performing and the crowd is enjoying his dance.
Though he's beaded in sweat he hasn't lost his style
Despite being sweaty, Ali is still performing with grace and skill.
Ali don't you go downtown
Ali is warned not to go downtown.
You gave away another round for free
Ali has given away another round for free.
Me
The singer is now the subject of the song.
I'm just another face at Zanzibar
The singer is just a regular patron at Zanzibar.
But the waitress always serves a secret smile
The waitress always gives the singer a special, secret smile.
She's waiting out in Shantytown
The waitress is waiting for the singer in the poorer area of town.
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
The waitress is going to reveal something special to the singer.
I've got the old man's car
The singer has access to his dad's car.
I've got a jazz guitar
The singer owns a jazz guitar.
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
The singer has an open bill at Zanzibar.
Tonight that's where I'll be
Tonight the singer will be at Zanzibar.
He knows he's such a credit to the game
The singer is aware of his own talent.
But the Yankees grab the headlines every time
Despite his talent, the Yankees always get more attention.
Melodrama's so much fun
Melodramatic events are enjoyable.
In black and white for everyone to see
These events are clear and visible to everyone.
Me
The singer is still the subject of the song.
I'm trying just to get to second base
The singer is attempting to get to second base in a romantic situation.
And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign
The singer would take the opportunity to advance if given the chance.
She's gonna give the go ahead
The person the singer is interested in will give the signal to proceed.
The inning isn't over yet for me
The singer still has a chance to succeed in his romantic pursuit.
Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar
The singer plans to return to Zanzibar and requests that someone inform the waitress.
I'll be hiding in the darkness with my beer.
The singer plans to be concealed in darkness, drinking a beer.
She's waiting out in Shantytown
The waitress is still waiting for the singer in the poorer part of town.
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
The waitress will reveal a special something to the singer when he arrives.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY OCEAN, ROBERT JOHN LANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lahse72
I absolutely love this song! My favorite of all Billy Ocean songs! ❤
TD Surf
great singer and even a better human. It was wonderful working with Billy on this video
Bob Davis
There are always some beautiful lovelies around talented Billy Ocean and his great songs, and why not.
Julie Goodall
Love this song ❤️
écureuilvert
One of the most underrated songs of all time by one of the most underrated singers of all time. If you haven't heard/seen his unplugged version of "Suddenly," check it out here on YouTube.
Paul Oosterlinck
Billy filled the dance floor in the 80s with his Carribean Queen & this Calypso Crazy... Great moments with bunch of friends...
Martina Cerna
Great song love all his songs.
Zana Andreia
billy ocean sem duvida e grande cantor isso e musica nao as de hoje em dia canta com a alma herivelto
Coly Moreno
What an AMAZING voice of a man!
sasah sa
Always amazing! ❤